RESEARCH

Effects of Strength-Based Approach Horticultural Therapy on Primary Students’ Resilience

Using strength-based horticultural therapy, this study found that primary school students participating in weekly gardening activities significantly improved their resilience immediately after the program and three months later.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Children/Youth

Setting or Context: Schools/Educational Settings

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Increased Self-Efficacy

Allied Profession Intersections: Counselling, Education

Type of Activity: Indoor Plant Care, Outdoor Gardening, Nature-Based Arts & Crafts

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Standardized Assessment Tools, Program Effectiveness

Access: Free

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Summary

This study investigated the impact of strength-based horticultural therapy on primary school students’ resilience. Researchers used a pretest-posttest experiment design with 36 students, dividing them into an experimental group (n=18) and a control group (n=18). The experimental group participated in weekly 120-minute sessions for 10 weeks involving horticultural activities. Resilience was measured using the Scale of Resilience for Primary School Students before the sessions, immediately after, and three months later.

Quantitative results indicated that the strength-based horticultural therapy significantly improved students’ resilience in the post-test. It also significantly changed lower-scoring students’ resilience in the track-test conducted three months later. The study suggests that horticultural activities, when implemented with a strength-based approach, can be a valuable tool in enhancing resilience among primary school students.

Link

Chen, H. (2021). The effect of horticultural therapy in depression intervention. Journal of Landscape Research, 13(6), 13-22.

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